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Secretary of the Navy Visits Iwo Jima ESG

Navy NewsStand

Story Number: NNS081201-02
Release Date: 12/1/2008 8:59:00 AM

By Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class (SW) Michael Starkey and Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class (SW) Brian Goodwin, Iwo Jima Expeditionary Strike Group Public Affairs

USS IWO JIMA, At Sea (NNS) -- Secretary of the Navy (SECNAV) Donald C. Winter visited to the Iwo Jima Expeditionary Strike Group (ESG), making his first stop at the amphibious dock-landing ship USS San Antonio (LDP 17) Nov. 24, followed by the multipurpose amphibious assault ship USS Iwo Jima (LHD 7) Nov. 25.

During the visits, SECNAV addressed the Sailors and Marines on both ships, and thanked them for their hard work during the holiday season. He also took the opportunity to frock San Antonio's newest petty officers.

"It means very much to me to see these fine young men and women come up in the Navy, and to be the one to present these awards to our future leaders," said Winter.

The newly-frocked petty officers were honored to be presented their chevrons by the SECNAV.

"This was a once-in-a-lifetime chance to have the Secretary of the Navy promote me," said Information System's Technician 2nd Class Robert Garcia.

SECNAV also took the time to re-enlist a San Antonio Sailor during his visit.

"I was very surprised that the SECNAV was the one to re-enlist me," said Boatswain's Mate 1st class (SW) Mark Brandt. "It truly was an honor."

The visit was a morale booster for San Antonio and Iwo Jima personnel, breaking up the daily routine of underway life.

"Being deployed during the holidays can be difficult for our Sailors and Marines," said Capt. Brian Smith, commander, Iwo Jima Strike Group. "It was wonderful that the SECNAV took time to visit our troops, letting them know how important their jobs are and how much they are appreciated."

During the visits, SECNAV visited Sailor and Marine working spaces, mess decks, hangar bays, and engineering spaces to pass out coins and individually speak to the deckplate Sailors and Marines that keep the ships and Marine Corps running.

"I was able to see firsthand all the hard work the Sailors and Marines have put into the ships," said Winter. "They have done the best job of making their ships as great as they are."

Sailors in the engineering spaces aboard Iwo Jima were ecstatic to have SECNAV pay them a visit.

"SECNAV's tour of the forward main machinery room was definitely a morale booster," said Lt. Cmdr. Edward M. Lee, Iwo Jima's main propulsion assistant. "Due to the location and environment of the machinery spaces, we rarely receive such high caliber visitors, so SECNAV's willingness to meet and greet the machinist mates in their environment made them realize they are part of a bigger team than just ship's force; they are part of the big Navy team."

Currently the Iwo Jima Expeditionary Strike Group is supporting maritime security operations (MSO) in the U.S. Navy's 5th Fleet area of operations. MSO help develop security in the maritime environment. From security arises stability that results in global economic prosperity. MSO complements the counterterrorism and security efforts of regional nations and seek to disrupt violent extremists' use of the maritime environment as a venue for attack or to transport personnel, weapons or other material.

For more news from Iwo Jima Expeditionary Strike Group, visit www.navy.mil/local/iwoesg/.